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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Work Appropriate?

I love fashion. And in order to afford all the fashions I love, I have to work. I work for the government agency so there is no dress code. I love that I could wear jeans every day if I chose to. It also means that some of my coworkers come to the office wearing some pretty amusing and confusing ensembles. I can't hold this in anymore.

Leggings as Pants

This is my number one biggest pet peeve. I too love to be as comfy as I can when I am at work, but leggings are not appropriate when worn in lieu of pants. This doesn't mean you can't rock a non-sheer, sophisticated pair under a bum-covering tunic or even a dress. What this means is that the $5 pair of thin leggings should not be worn with a blouse.
Not long ago I was walking behind a young 20-something woman and could not stop staring at her butt. I wasn't checking her out, I was staring at her underwear. She was wearing a pair of black leggings that were so stretched I could see right though them. Had she worn anything that covered her bottom instead of a printed v-neck shirt, I would not have noticed.

This isn't just a one time occurrence. Every day some woman flashes past me wear leggings as pants. They are not pants people, they are a thick pair of tights, treat them as such.

Tube tops

Is it sad that I have to include this? I think it is. The business workforce does not need to know what you wear clubbing. There is not much more I can need to say about this.

Strapless Dresses

While not club wear, strapless dresses are more appropriate for the weekend barbeque. I know I have said to myself that I could throw a sweater over a nicer looking tube dress. HALT! Put it down, put it back. You will be pulling up the dress all day rendering the cardigan useless. Leave it for the beach.

Flip Flops

I wear these every morning TO work. Once I get to my desk I change into the shoes I brought that go with my outfit du jour. If I am running to the farmer's market at lunch I might slip them on for the lunch break. I do NOT go to meetings in them, I do NOT give presentations in them. And unless you work for a surfboard company or similar, these summer essentials should stay hidden under your desk, away from the boardroom. There are plenty of cute, office appropriate sandals.

Too-Tight Clothing

I realize everyone's weight goes up and down. Mine does. I have also seen it balloon to the point that every single thing I put on was skin tight, or worse. Instead of living in the past, I held my head up high and marched to my nearest Old Navy and bought a few essentials I knew I could wear on a daily basis. Sure, they were 2 sizes bigger than I wanted, but I was comfortable at work and I wasn't fussing all over my clothes.

When clothes are too small they ride up, fall down, or somehow try to make their way off your body. And what's worse, they make you actually look bigger. Size up, no one will know.Mini Skirts

They are cute. And Ally McBeal made them popular. But these too should stay in the closet. During a recent meeting at work, a manager actually brought this topic up. As it was put, if you have to pull your skirt down or continuously cross your legs, your skirt is too short. I have a personal rule of no more than 3" above the knee. This can be adjusted for leg length.

Sweatpants and Gym Clothes (and PAJAMAS!?)

These are not called sweats or gym clothes for fun, that is what they were constructed for. Let's get real. And flannel pajamas are just that, pajamas. Go to bed earlier, wake up earlier, and make a small effort. It WILL pay off.

Bathing Suits

I really, Really should not have to write this. Figure it out. Unless you are a lifeguard, leave the suits to the pool.

I wish I could say that these fashions were a rare occurrence, but they aren't. Just when I think I have seen it all I see an exposed navel or a cut-off that makes my eyes roll. If you wouldn't wear it to meet your boyfriend's (or girlfriend's) grandma, don't wear it to work.